Wednesday, November 23, 2005

They got this "Just for You" beta. Based on past iTunes purchases and CD's in your collection, they recommend other songs on iTunes. So, I've been playing with it off and on. Based on the fact that I own Bringing Down the Horse by the Wallflowers, they suggest Demon Days from the Gorillaz. Why? Because the first 6 bits of each song are identical?

Even zanier, they've got Celebrity Playlists. Some musician or movie star has a short list of songs they like. Issac Hayes has one. But he picked 10 of his own songs!! In a list of 18. You'd think someone would have said something.

Tuesday, November 22, 2005

I try to be extremely cautious using the term "sell out". Others use the term very loosely. It refers to when a band changes its style, sound, image, etc. that attracts new fans, makes them a ton of money, launches them to mainstream media, and alienates original/hardcore followers.

I know what to look for, but who am I to judge (that's right, labeling someone a "sell out" is a judgement call and prone to human emotions and fallacies) which bands are sell outs and which ones stumbled into success when they chose a new direction to take their music in.

However, I do feel confident pointing out some of the more obvious ones...

Carlos Santana has been around for nearly 30 years. A guitar legend. But a single duet with Rob Thomas wins him 9 grammies, and he uses the "duets with other musicians" strategery on his next two albums.

It gets worse. Santana's just a speck of dirt compared to the mud clump that is Smashmouth. They spun their first hit "Walkin' on the Sun" into a career of whoring themselves out for any and all commercial promotions and financial gain. A cover of "Can't Get Enough of You, Baby" for "Can't Hardly Wait". A cover of "I'm a Believer" for "Shrek". No originality there. Give them a song and a fistful of dollars, and they'll do it.

But the worst offender? Destiny's Child. I don't believe for one second that they eat at McDonald's or shop at Wal-Mart. No way. And I think still appearing in commercials together is a total sham. They aren't together anymore. And I doubt that Beyonce is hard up enough for money to show up in a few spots. She has Jay-Z.